Aviva Premiership 2014/2015: Round 2 Predictions

All weekend teams can be found here.

Harlequins vs Saracens

Neither of these teams hit the heights they are capable of at the double header last weekend, which makes a prediction for this game quite difficult. Saracens showed the champion quality of pulling victory from the jaws of defeat, while if Nick Evans had had his kicking boots on, chances are Quins would have registered a much more comfortable win over London Irish. Two of the Premierships wise old heads do battle at fly-half, with Evans lining up opposite Charlie Hodgson. As always, Sarries have great strength to bring off the bench and while it will be close, I’d expect that to make the difference in the final stages of the match. Saracens by 3.

Bath vs London Welsh

This certainly looks like the easiest game of the week to call. Bath showed impressive grit and determination to take a good win away from the AJ Bell stadium in round one, while London Welsh were absolutely pummelled by Exeter on their own patch. Back at home expect Bath to hit another gear and George Ford to have a blinder once again. London Welsh won’t be as bad as they were last week – it’s not possible – but it’ll still be a comfortable home win. Bath by 28.

Gloucester vs Sale Sharks

If you look solely at last week’s results, this should be a no brainer. Gloucester’s humbling at the hands of the Saints was a massive blow to the start of their regime but, like Welsh, they will be improved this week. They will have studied the tapes, and will have pinpointed exactly why it went so wrong. Sale won this game last year so will bring plenty of confidence into the game, while the battle between Hook and Cipriani at fly-half sees two of the most mercurial members of the Premiership go head to head. If Gloucester’s pack can avoid being bullied again, I can see them turning it around in front of home support and getting their first win – just. Gloucester by 3.

Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers

Another of the more difficult ones to predict this weekend. Exeter started their season with a bang against London Welsh and looked like a settled, confident outfit. Obviously this weekend will be a hugely different challenge, although the Tigers do arrive with their usual early-season injury problems. They have a few new partnerships that are still gelling, although they do have a good record against Exeter in the past few seasons, having won each of their last four meetings. That run should continue this weekend. Leicester by 6.

Wasps vs Northampton Saints

Wasps are rapidly becoming the nearly men of the Premiership – they were again so close to a win against Saracens last weekend and arguably played well enough to deserve it. It doesn’t get any easier this week, as they welcome Northampton who arrive off the back of their annihilation of Gloucester in week one, certainly the single most impressive performance of the round. The lack of new arrivals over the summer mean they look very settled, and ominously good already. Wasps have a hugely talented group of players, but aren’t quite at the level their visitors this weekend are. Another narrow loss. Northampton by 6.

Newcastle vs London Irish

Both these sides opened their campaigns with a loss but both showed enough to suggest that it will not be all gloom this season. Newcastle’s visit to Welford Road ultimately yielded nothing but they impressed in patches and in Juan Pablo Socino they have a reliable kicker – something they lacked for a lot of last season. London Irish showed no little dog – if not a great deal of flair – in their loss to Quins, but did manage to bag a bonus point. At home on their new 4G pitch, I make Newcastle just about favourites for this one. Newcastle by 7.

How do you see the weekend unfolding?

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43